CoachMack219

Loyola Academy 49 Merrillville 7 But yes, he does think it'll be a 2 score game. Lol

For sure. I was a Catholic school boy K-8 and a public school boy 9-12. From my own experiences I gathered that education is an extension of the home and regardless of my son's school setting, if I show him that education is important/ valuable, he'll believe it's important/ valuable. He's a Freshman now and based on his performances, I have been proven right. I don't hate or dislike private/ parochial education, I just thoroughly enjoyed my public school experience to my private/ parochial one so that's the setting I put my son in. But you are correct, I sure can if I want.

I couldn't like/ heart/ love this post enough so I had to reply to also say how much I appreciate this post. Really good stuff here. A damn shame what is going on with the Republicans in Indianapolis and their education agenda. In my personal opinion, there is nothing more American than being willing to look at a political situation like an intelligent human being instead of being part of a party. Ya made me proud to be an American today @Titan32, thanks for that!

$230,880 is a pretty high number/ bar to set for the voucher program. Christ if my fiancé and I made that much combined, even with paying $8.29 for 18 eggs last Saturday, I could afford to send my son to a P/P without a voucher. 🤣

1. Yes, the IHSAA does have a process, but it could be better. I googled, but cannot confirm with assured accuracy, and found that the number of approved transfers by the IHSAA is 93%, not too shabby. It does bother me that 7 out of 100 kids will be denied full eligibility because I don't know their stories and honestly (despite that AWESOME transfer form lol) the IHSAA doesn't know their full stories either which is where I have an issue with denying someone something without all of the necessary information. I know some of these things go to hearings or through multiple legal steps, but that's a little excessive to me for a family trying to better their child's/ their situation. It's not that I don't have empathy for them, I have been them albeit not in a rural setting, but losing players is losing players whether you're in 1A or 6A. Any lack of empathy from me comes from a question I like to ask myself when I/ a program I am a part of loses a player... "What did we do as program, staff, school, and community to make them WANT to leave?" This self reflection exercise has helped me many times understand the family/ player's WHY for leaving and allowed myself and our staff address anything that we feel may have "pushed a kid out the door." People don't leave places where they feel valued, respected, loved, coached, supported, etc. but when they aren't getting those things they do want to leave AND THEY SHOULD. I won't deny that I have coached people who have transferred for selfish/ entitled reasons. But more often than not, I find it is a little deeper than that. 2. I agree with you, jets. No coach/ parent/ school should want for/ make a kid miserable and/or ruin their playing experience. Unfortunately though, that does happen here and around the country and sometimes those that try to "get out" are held back by the IHSAA's, or other governing bodies, policies thus doing EXACTLY what we don't want and making the kid miserable. I don't disagree with you about kowtowing to the transfer/ hand holding culture because whether we have a one time transfer rule, the "wild wild west" (a portal), or our current structure THOSE types of people and transfers will still exist. However, in my experiences, more often than not the people who are willing to transfer/ transfer their kids when they don't get their way, those kids often can't/ won't play no matter where they go because that mindset is taught in the home. Whether coaching, teaching, or managing kids at a job overcoming their household teachings is a TALL TASK because we don't spend the time as teachers or coaches with them that they get at home which makes the entitlement battle tough for coaches/ teachers. Bonus Reply: I find it interesting that according to a January 14th article in Indy Star, only 30% of State AD's are in favor of a one-time transfer as a Freshman/Sophomore and 13% in favor of any time, one-time transfer regardless of grade. Why do we think the AD's feel this way? My theory is ego, selfishness, power, and control over the kids/ families in their district. It's a "if you don't play for us, you can't play for anyone" mentality and I think that is an absolutely awful way to treat people in your community that you allege to care about WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT FOR YOU (talking @ the AD's here not you, jets lol).

The National average is actually 7%, 3% if we're talking Division 1 only. Still a small number but more kids are impacted than we may believe. As far as the voucher program is concerned, while I may not agree with every aspect/ every piece of language in it, the idea of giving parents from lower income households the opportunity to provide a better educational/ athletic experience for their child is their prerogative. Similar to transferring. I appreciate the discussion back and forth with ya Sparty.

Yup, kid's game. And for some kid's playing the game there are scholarships ($$$) involved. College is expensive and the cost isn't getting any cheaper (unless someone has data to prove me wrong) so if a family wants to make a choice that results in dollars for THEIR CHILD's education and THEIR FAMILY's pocket then WHO THE HELL are we (CoachMack219, Tango, Jets, Sparty, or the IHSAA) to tell them, "NOPE, YOU CAN'T DO THAT?!" There is A LOT more to transferring schools than simply loyalty, hard work, dedication, and running away from coaching. That's my point.

This is some of these peoples' preference. Just STAY LOYAL AND WORK HARD NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. School closing? Don't matter, can't transfer. STAY LOYAL AND WORK HARD! Adults at the school commit IHSAA violations resulting in a Postseason ban for a school? Don't matter, can't transfer. STAY LOYAL AND WORK HARD! I can come up with examples all day. The thought process on this topic by some people is astonishing to me.

Oh yeah. CAN'T forget about LOYALTY! Nothing like coming in as a Freshman ready to play for one of the best coaches in the state and then heading into your Junior year, that coach leaves for a better job opportunity (sick loyalty there coach). The school/ program is now headed in the wrong direction and you're a potential college recruit. The new coach is notorious for doing a porous job at helping kids with the recruiting process (A LOT more coaches than we may want to admit are HORRENDOUS at this). So due to "loyalty," that kid and his parents should HAVE TO stick with a bad situation? Seems a little ridiculous to me.

1. Not EVERY SINGLE TRANSFER has to do with a kid not wanting to deal with adversity/ becoming "tougher" (mentally or physically or because they were "challenged by a coach". You'll see a common theme here, IF THEY'RE LEAVING IT AIN'T YOUR BUSINESS WHY. Sign off and move on. 2. How have we gone to far the other way? By allowing young adults (more often than not their parents who are *checks notes* adults) to make the same choice that the adults who coach them can make whenever they want? A better choice for themselves/ families and we all say, "NOPE not around these parts!" Again, IF THEY'RE LEAVING IT AIN'T YOUR BUSINESS WHY. Sign off and move on. 3. I'll hammer the USA to win WW3 at -1000 odds if we ever unfortunately see that day.

From experience coaching in Hammond, Michigan City, Hobart, St. John, and Highland throughout the last decade+, it doesn't matter which of those places I've been at my mindset doesn't change on this topic. The scenario I played out even happened to myself and the staff at one of the above listed places that does not, and has not/ will not ever, have open enrollment. It's "easy" for me to say this regardless of where I coach, live, etc. because I care about the kids I coach and those relationships more than my win/loss record.

Coach the kids you have. If those kids want to leave, LET THEM. I'll never understand bitter coaches, AD's, and administrators who try to force a kid to stay and play for them. Do you REALLY think that kid will WANT to give it their all for you and your program because you make them stay? Can't wait for Sparty to say, "I'll bench him," if that's the case, why'd you, the AD, and admin make the kid stay? Power? Control? That's disgusting. In addition, if you "get" some kids to come into your school, GOOD FOR YOU. If people move, no matter how many times, they should be eligible since I don't know/ have never met any 14-17 year old's that make housing/ relocation decisions. This really isn't a hard topic, we just make it one because... Pride and/ or Ego and/ or Power/Control. What's best for one isn't best for the rest. @US31 I appreciated your scenarios and understand the complexity of each situation as the law currently stands. So many cases to sort through, in my opinion isn't good for anybody. Don't let adult decisions impact the kid's opportunity for success either academically, athletically, or in both realms. At some point, adults need to start leading and coming up with solutions instead of hating, whining, and harming kids futures.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14swHi9ASX/ Tony Bartolomeo has been named the Head Football Coach at Hanover Central according to multiple media outlets in the Region. For sure like the hire for the Wildcats, Coach Bart brings a ton of experience and familiarity to Hanover and will do well for himself there. Congrats Coach! I linked the Facebook one for you. My district finally re-unlocked Facebook so I can do things like this. Lol 🤣

Figured it would be cool to give shoutout to all of the players playing tonight in the "Battle for Indiana." I find it rather comical that its Private vs Public 🤣 but regardless, gonna be very cool to watch these young men potentially (and others definitely) make an impact tonight. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hoosier-bred Athletes #16 Tae Johnson - Fort Wayne North Side #24 Jack Kizer - Pioneer #32 Justin Fisher - Mishawaka #34 Drayk Bowen - Andrean #38 Tommy Pawlus - Penn #70 Ashton Craig - Lawrenceburg #71 Styles Prescod - Fishers The Indiana Hoosiers, Hoosier-bred Athletes #2 Tayven Jackson - Center Grove O#3 Omar Cooper Jr. - Lawrence North D#3 Jojo Johnson - Hammond Morton/ Merrillville #14 Derin McCulley - Lawrence North #15 Tyler Cherry - Center Grove #18 Andrew Turvy - Carmel #24 Jackson Wasserstrom - Westfield #27 Reece Bellin - Carmel D#28 Jaz Boykin - Fishers O#28 Khobie Martin - Fishers #29 Luke Haupert - Fort Wayne Snider #30 Kyler Kropp - New Palestine #34 Jeff Utzinger - Indianapolis Cathedral #36 Clay Conner - Boonville #37 Heath Kizer - Indianapolis North Central #38 Kaden McConnell - Center Grove #39 Carter Imes - Fishers #45 Lincoln Murff - Ben Davis #47 Finn Walters - Brebeuf Jesuit #48 James Bomba - Bloomington South #52 Clayton Allen - Hamilton Southeastern #53 Vince Fiacable - Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger O#54 Jack Greer - Hamilton Southeastern D#54 Caleb King - Eastern (Not sure which) #58 Aden Cannon - Guerin Catholic #64 Race Stewart - Bloomington North #71 Evan Lawrence - Danville #72 Adedamola Ajani - Speedway #78 Cooper Jones - Valparaiso #79 Max Williams - Lebanon #81 Brady Simmons - Ben Davis #88 Sam West - Greensburg #89 Camden Jordan - Indianapolis Cathedral #90 Josh Placzek - Carmel #93 Quinn Warren - Brebeuf Jesuit #97 Jaxson Miller -- Triton Central Apologies if I missed anyone! I'm a Boilermaker all day, but today, I root against the reversible jacket ND Football/ IU Basketball fans by cheering on the Hoosiers.

I like this ^^^ guy. Lol

Dolts, again, connects from long range! Lol this mindset in school administrations is prevalent throughout NWI (and I'm sure the state and nation as a whole) and continues to result in decisions that are not in the best interest of the school(s) and kids in the schools.

The assessment by Mr. Dolts also sums up about 27 out of 32 member schools and their communities in the 219 (Region 1). I planned to include this, and other things, in another thread that specifically references Region 1 but the door was opened for me here... Lol the catering to parents who don't believe in respect and accountability based on their child's lack of respect and accountability is one of if not THE biggest problem in education today.

Aged like fine wine. Lol

We can settle on a 2nd half beatdown then. Lol which does actually feel fair to say given the time of possession and statistical numbers presented by NLC and watching the game. Statistically speaking, Merrillville got 50 of their passing yards on 1 play in the 4th quarter and they got 75 of their rushing yards on 1 play in the 2nd quarter. Most of their yardage came in the first half given how their drives ended in each half. If I recall correctly, both Merrillville scoring drives were "long drives." For sure think its fair to say the Tigers dominated the 2nd half of that ball game especially on the defensive end.

For sure. Didn't feel to me from watching that Merrillville spent a whole lot of time on the field on offense. That's why I asked NLC if he had Time of Possession numbers. A beat down can also happen as a result of pick 6's. Folks just often think of beatdown as "offense scores a lot of points and defense shuts them down." I guess I'm more so defining the beatdown here as "a Defensive dominance (which it for sure was when you break it down) by Warsaw mixed with good enough offense to win by 17." The Warsaw defense gave up a score on 4th and 3 when they lost a WR down the seam on the QB scramble and allowed a 75 yard touchdown run on a play where poor tackling plagued them. They gave up a big play late that amounted to no points but other than those 3 plays, the Tiger defense was BALLIN'!

You have time of possession numbers for me, by chance?

Yup. That 18-0 2nd half didn't help and it was clear Merrillville's defense was going to have a tough time consistently getting off the field in the 1st half.

Agreed. I'm gonna vote yes as the risk of Luers people shredding me apart. Lol I'm gonna roll with no. Would probably need to see a few more years that look like this to believe/ argue that Success Factor is the WHY behind Public School's increase (or P/P's decrease) in State Championships.

I'll take Coach Ralph, New Pal, and the Over. Lol

I waited all weekend to get on and read this... Lmao 🤣